Soil health serves as the foundation of sustainable agriculture, yet millions of hectares worldwide are deteriorating due to increasing soil salinity. When excessive salts accumulate in the soil, they interfere with plant growth, reduce crop yields, and contribute to long-term land degradation. This poses a severe threat to farmers’ livelihoods, particularly in regions where irrigation water contains high levels of dissolved salts and industrial pollutants.
One such example is Kheda Khalilpur, a village in Nuh district, Haryana, where industrial pollutants in irrigation water have significantly impacted soil fertility. However, through soil analysis and the strategic use of gypsum, farmers have reclaimed their farmlands and improved crop yields. This article explores the science behind soil salinity, the role of gypsum in restoring soil health, and how targeted interventions—such as those implemented in Kheda Khalilpur—can offer scalable, sustainable solutions to this pressing agricultural challenge.
Understanding Soil Salinity and Its Causes
Soil salinity is a major environmental challenge affecting agriculture by reducing soil fertility and crop productivity. It occurs when excess salts accumulate in the soil, making it difficult for plants to absorb water and nutrients. This condition leads to stunted growth, lower yields, and, in severe cases, renders land unfit for cultivation.
Several factors contribute to soil salinity:
- Poor-quality irrigation water: Water sources contaminated with salts, industrial pollutants, or heavy metals deposit harmful residues in the soil.
- Over-irrigation and inadequate drainage: Excessive watering without proper drainage leads to salt buildup as water evaporates, leaving behind concentrated minerals.
- Deforestation and land mismanagement: The removal of vegetation accelerates soil erosion, exposing land to excessive evaporation and salt deposition.
- Climate change and rising temperatures: Increased evaporation rates cause higher salt accumulation in the soil.
- Use of chemical fertilizers: Overuse of synthetic fertilizers can contribute to soil salinization by altering the soil’s chemical balance.
If left unchecked, salinity can turn once-productive land into barren wastelands, threatening food security and rural livelihoods. Addressing this issue requires scientific soil management practices to restore fertility and ensure sustainable farming.
Case Study: Kheda Khalilpur Village
Kheda Khalilpur, a village in Nuh district, Haryana, faces severe soil salinity due to contamination from a nearby water channel carrying industrial pollutants. With 4,000 acres of farmland dependent on this water source for irrigation, the accumulation of harmful chemicals and salts has reduced soil fertility and crop productivity, posing challenges for local farmers.
To address this issue, S M Sehgal Foundation, with support from TLG India Private Limited, initiated the Gram Uday-7 project in April 2023. The project aimed to promote soil health management through scientific interventions. Farmers were encouraged to test their soil to identify underlying issues. Soil analysis reports revealed high electrical conductivity (EC), indicating severe salinity, which restricted plant growth and reduced yields.
To combat this, experts recommended gypsum application, a proven method for reducing soil salinity and improving soil structure. Farmers obtained 1,000 bags of subsidized gypsum and applied 20–25 sacks per acre, leading to improved germination, healthier crops, and reduced sowing cycles. This resulted in cost savings of ₹1,500–2,000 per acre.
Farmers reported stronger plants, greener fields, and higher yield expectations, demonstrating that scientific soil management can restore agricultural productivity and secure rural livelihoods.
Soil Testing and Analysis: Identifying the Problem
Soil testing is a crucial first step in diagnosing and addressing soil salinity. It helps determine key parameters such as pH (acidity/alkalinity) and electrical conductivity (EC), which indicate salt concentration levels. High EC values suggest excessive salt accumulation, restricting water absorption by plant roots and leading to poor germination, stunted growth, and lower yields.
In Kheda Khalilpur, farmers participated in soil testing under the Gram Uday-7 project. The analysis revealed neutral pH but high EC, confirming salinity issues caused by industrial pollutants and poor irrigation water quality. Understanding these results enabled farmers to take corrective action by applying gypsum (calcium sulfate) to improve soil structure and reduce sodium content.
Regular soil testing empowers farmers with data-driven insights, ensuring they use appropriate treatments, optimize fertilizer use, and adopt sustainable farming practices to restore and maintain soil health.
Gypsum as a Solution to Soil Salinity
Gypsum (calcium sulfate) is one of the most-effective soil conditioners for treating salinity and sodicity. When applied to saline soils, gypsum helps replace sodium ions with calcium ions, improving soil structure and reducing compactness. This enhances water infiltration, prevents crust formation, and boosts root development, making it easier for plants to absorb nutrients. Additionally, gypsum increases soil permeability, allowing excess salts to leach out, thus restoring soil health.
In Kheda Khalilpur, where industrial pollutants increased soil salinity, gypsum application was recommended following soil analysis. The process was simple and cost-effective, making it an accessible solution for farmers dealing with declining productivity due to poor soil conditions.
Implementation and Farmer Adoption
Under the Gram Uday-7 project, farmers were introduced to the benefits of gypsum through demonstrations and hands-on training. They received guidance on applying 20–25 sacks of gypsum per acre to neutralize the excess salts. To facilitate adoption, they were also informed about government subsidies, allowing them to purchase gypsum at ₹105 per bag instead of the market price.
The impact was visible within months—farmers reported improved seed germination, stronger plant growth, and healthier crops. Previously, multiple sowings were required; but with gypsum treatment, a single sowing was sufficient, reducing input costs. This increased confidence among farmers, leading to wider adoption across the village.
Economic Benefits for Farmers
Soil restoration through gypsum application not only improves crop yields but also provides direct financial benefits to farmers. Key advantages include:
- Lower seed costs: Farmers saved ₹1,500–2,000 per acre by reducing the need for multiple sowings.
- Higher crop yields: Improved soil conditions led to better growth of wheat and mustard crops, increasing farm productivity.
- Reduced irrigation expenses: Enhanced soil permeability helped retain moisture, reducing the need for excessive watering.
- Long-term soil sustainability: Gypsum treatment ensures continuous agricultural output, securing farmers’ livelihoods by preventing further soil degradation.
One farmer, Mahesh, highlighted the transformative impact of gypsum, noting that it had visibly improved crop health across all treated farmlands. With increasing awareness and proven results, more farmers are now adopting gypsum as a sustainable solution to combat soil salinity and improve their agricultural returns.
Scaling Up: The Need for Awareness and Policy Support
The success of soil-restoration efforts, such as those in Kheda Khalilpur village, highlights the importance of awareness, education, and policy support in tackling soil salinity on a larger scale. Many farmers remain unaware of the benefits of soil testing and gypsum application, leading to continued land degradation and declining yields.
To scale up these initiatives, the following measures are crucial:
- Widespread Soil-Testing Programs: Government and private institutions should promote free or subsidized soil testing to help farmers diagnose soil health issues early.
- Financial Support for Soil Amendments: Subsidies on gypsum and other soil conditioners make them more accessible to small-scale farmers.
- Farmer Training and Capacity Building: Regular workshops, field demonstrations, and digital learning platforms educate farmers on effective soil management practices.
- Sustainable Irrigation Management: Policies should focus on preventing industrial contamination of water sources and encouraging rainwater harvesting to reduce reliance on saline irrigation water.
Government agencies, research institutions, and private stakeholders must work together to implement large-scale soil health improvement programs, ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability and rural economic growth.
Future Prospects: Innovative Solutions for Soil Restoration
While gypsum remains a proven and cost-effective solution for soil salinity, emerging technologies and innovative approaches offer new possibilities for soil restoration:
- Precision Agriculture: AI-driven soil sensors and satellite imaging provide real-time data on soil salinity, allowing for targeted interventions and optimized gypsum application.
- Bioremediation Techniques: Certain salt-tolerant plants and microorganisms help absorb excess salts, naturally restoring soil balance.
- Organic Soil Amendments: The use of biochar, compost, and green manure improve soil fertility and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.
- Water-Efficient Irrigation: Drip irrigation and desalination techniques prevent salt buildup and ensure sustainable water use.
- Blockchain-Based Soil Health Monitoring: Transparent, farmer-led soil data tracking systems enable better decision-making and access to government support.
Conclusion
The battle against soil salinity is crucial for ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security. The success in Kheda Khalilpur village highlights how scientific soil analysis and gypsum application restore soil health, improve yields, and reduce farming costs. However, scaling up such initiatives requires greater awareness, policy support, and innovative solutions. Promoting soil testing, farmer education, and government-backed subsidies helps more farmers reclaim their lands. Investing in long-term soil restoration strategies will not only enhance agricultural productivity but also strengthen rural livelihoods, ensuring a more sustainable and food-secure future for generations to come.
Contact us 
Sign up for